Apparatus for stabilizing a barge within a transfer well of a catamaran type vessel for loading the barge onto or removing it from the vessel

ABSTRACT

An arrangement associated with a catamaran type vessel for bringing a raft, barge or other floating object between spaced apart, rearwardly extending hull portions of the vessel, which hull portions extend into and above the water to define a water area to receive a barge, raft or other floating object. Provision is made to enclose at least the rear of the area between the rearwardly extending hull portions of the vessel, with a gate or fender which extends into and above the water so as to define a quiescent water area which is free from the influence of the waves. Provision is also made for stabilizing the barge or the like against relative lateral movement, whereupon, a gantry crane is moved over the barge or the like and with connectors provided intermediate the hoisting equipment and the gantry crane, the barge or the like is hoisted from the water and lowered into the hold of the vessel or onto the deck thereof, and by reversing the steps, a barge can be moved from the vessel into the quiescent water area preparatory to making the barge water borne.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John Hart Wilson Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix c/o Wilson Manufacturing Company, Inc., Attorneys-Watson, Cole, Grindle & Watson and Wayland D. Box 1031, Wichita Falls, Tex. 76307 Keith [21] Appl. No. 677,520

[22] Filed Oct. 24, 1967 [45] Patented 1971 ABSTRACT: An arrangement associated with a catamaran type vessel for bringing a raft, barge or other floating object [54] APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING A BARGE between spaced apart, rearwardly extending hull portions of WITHIN ATRANSFER WELL OF A CATAMARAN the vessel, WhlCh hull portions extend mto and above the TYPE VESSEL FOR LOADING THE BARGE ONTO water to define a water area to receive a barge, raft or other on REMOVING FROM THE VESSEL floating ob ect. Provision 18 made to enclose at least the rear of 5 Claims 15 Drawing Figs the area between the rearwardly extending hull portions of the vessel, with a gate or fender which extends into and above the water so as to define a quiescent water area which is free from the influence of the waves. Provision is also made for stabilizing the barge or the like against relative lateral movement, whereupon, a gantry crane is moved over the barge or the like and with connectors provided intermediate the hoisting equipment and the gantry crane, the barge or the like is hoisted lnt.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1. e mm a 3 d a co 6 fmd ed 6 SNG 578 666 999 111 Ill 65 864 677 181 9 6 333 PATENTEDJAN 5i9?| 1 +1 T T M T l l mw EWMMHQ UH H WHU WHTH MMH l T 1 m T i W i JOHN HART WILSON ll Om mm H M SHEET 1 [1F 6 rill-I'll] ,r J u PATENTEU JAN 519m SHEET 2 [1F 6 INVEN'fOR. JOHN HART WILSON HSA GENT

PATENTED JAN 512m JOHN HART WILSON 0mm mm mmm n m PATENTEDJAN 5m: 3552.344

saw u 0F 6 JOHN HART WILSON INVENTOR.

4|G in: HIS AGENT PATENTEU'JYANHSIWL f sum 5 uh s INVENTOR,

JOHN HART WILSON a HIS AGENT V PATENTEUJAN SIB?! $552,344

SHEET 6 OF 6 JOHN HART WILSON INVENTOR.

HIS AGENT APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING A BARGE WITHIN A TRANSFER WELL OF A CATAMARAN TYPE VESSEL FOR LOADING THE BARGE ONTO OR REMOVING IT FROM THE VESSEL 1 This invention relates to an improvement in loading barges onto catamaran vessels, and vessels of the character as shown and described in US. Pat. No. 3,273,527 to Jerome L. Goldman, patentedSept. 20, 1966.

In the loading of barges onto vessels of these types, difficulty is encountered as the vessel rises and falls with the waves; the barges being loaded onto the vessel rise and fall in irregular movement with respect to the vessel, therefore, instability 7 between the barge and the vessel is present, which does not make for a relatively static condition for a sufficient length of time to enable the barge to be lifted fromthe water and onto the vessel of a catamaran type, such as shown in the above mentioned patent.

The present device provides for loading a catamaran type vessel with barges by bringing the barges into a water area at the rear of the vessel between the sides thereof, whereby the water area isthen enclosed on four sides and the water therein becomes static, with respect to the vessel, thereby enabling a barge to be lifted from the relatively static water area by means of a crane and to be deposited in the hold of the vessel, or other place on the vessel, so a loaded barge or barges can be transported to the place of disposition or delivery.

The present vessel is so constructed as to have spaced apart rear portions thereof, which extend rearwardly and with the rearwardly extending portions being above and below the water line so as to define a water area sufficiently large to accommodate and enable the barge to be moved into position within this area, then fenders or gates are lowered on each side of the barge to make the water area in theaft portion of the vessel quiescent so that the barge will have substantially the same upward and downward movement as the vessel. Hoist lines are then connected to at least two points near each end of the barge, thereby to enable the barge to be lifted from the water and deposited in the hold of the vessel, or'to enable the barge or the like to be removed from the hold of the vessel and deposited intothe quiescent water, with the barge having substantially free of the influence of outside waves.

Various attempts to solve this problemhave been made heretofore; however these, for the most part, have met with certain obstacles which the present invention has overcome.

An object of this invention is to provide a loading system for vessels whereby a barge, raft or other floating object can be moved into a waterarea within the confines of the vessel and whereupon the water within the area is stilled to enable the lifting of the barge, raft or other floating object onto the vessel without the tossing of the barge or other object being loaded, with respect to the vessel, as usually accompanies the loading of barges, rafts or other floating objects, from the ocean or other large body of water, onto a vessel.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby an area within the length of the vessel may be so blocked off by fenders or gates so as to render the water within the area quiescent and relatively free from the influence of waves.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shiploading arrangement for catamaran type vessels whereby barges, rafts or other floating objects may be brought into an area of water within the length of the vessel, which area may be protected by fenders, gates or the like. With a barge within the protected area, a gantry crane may be moved thereabove for lifting the barge, raft or other floating object from the water upward and transporting the barge, raft or other object above the upper surface of the vessel to enable the deposition thereof into the hold of the vessel or onto the vessel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement to stabilize a barge, raft or other floating object transversely with respect to the hold of the vessel to enable lifting devices to be attached to'the barge, raft or other floating object.

' Still a further object of the invention is to provide a lifting arrangement which is associated with the vessel and with the barge, raft or floating object, to enable the lifting device on the vessel to be quickly and positively engaged with a complementary lifting device on the barge, raft or other floating object and to enable the complementally engageable lifting devices to be held in engaged position until the barge, raft or other object is deposited in the hold of the vessel, or onto the deck thereof, and to enable the engagement of the interengaging devices in the hold of the ship or on the deck thereof transferring the barge therefrom into the protected area of water, within the confines of the vessel, when it is desired to transfer the barges from the vessel onto the waterway, such as an ocean or lake.

Another object of the invention is to provide at least one movable gate, which is operated within guideways near an end of the vessel, so that the gate may be moved townward to enclose an area of water within the length of the vessel, when a barge, raft or other floating object has been moved into the water area within the length of the vessel and to move the fender or gate upward when it is desired to move another barge, raft or other floating object into the area within the length of the vessel or to remove the barge, raft, or other floating object from the vessel and deposit it into the quiescent I water area, between the rearwardly extending hull portions of the vessel, whereupon the gate or fender may be opened to allow the barge or the like to be moved from the quiescent water area.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hoisting system which will enable the lowering of a gate or fender to a position, below the water line of the vessel, when in one position and to raise the fender or gate to a sufficient height to enable a barge, raft or other floating object to pass thereunder.

With these objects in mind and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds; reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings inwhich like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a catamaran type vessel shown as being in separate portions, the connection being shown'by a dot-dash line, with a portion intermediate the forward and aft portions of the vessel being broken away and shortened; a gantry crane being shown, with portions cut away and shortened, in full outline in one position and in dashed outline in another position, with barges being shown in dotted outline, the mechanism for raising and lowering the fender or gate being shown in dotted outline, one of the gates being shown in raised position in full outline, the lowered position thereof being shown in dashed outline;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, on substantially the same scale as that shown in FIG. 1, of two portions of the vessel connected by a dot-dash line, showing intermediate portions broken away and shortened, and showing a gantry crane in full outline in one position;

H0. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, with portions being broken away and shortened;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of the mounting members and a cable support block for supporting a lifting device, and showing a fluid loaded cylinder with a sensor conduit leading therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a rear end elevational view of a catamaran type vessel showing a gantry crane mounted thereon, with portions of the gantry crane being broken away and shortened, and portions being shown in section to bring out the details of construction, one of the fenders or gates being shown broken away to show a barge, in full outline within the confines of a vessel, lateral stabilizers intermediate the vessel and the barge being shown; and showing a hoisting block and connection devices to connect the gantry crane and the barge in position for lifting the barge; a lift or hoist arrangement for the fenders or gates is shown in dotted outline;

FIG; 6 is an enlarged top fragmentary view'of an-end p'or tion of one side of the catamaran t'ype vessel,"showing-'theends of the fenders or gates in place in guided rel'ationwith respect to the vessel, with portions of the vessel beingbroken away-to show the hoisting mechanism for the fenders or gates, afluid actuated cylinder is shown'secured to'the vessel tostabiliz'e a barge, raft or other floating object, transversely with respect to the vessel, and showing the lifting arrangement on the barge, raft or other floating object;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the engagement device, on the barge, raft or other floating object, and showing fluid actuated cylinders to actuate the slips to disengage the slips-which are associated with the barge, raft or other floating object, from the lifting shafts or spears associated with the gantry 'cranei FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 looking in 'the directionindicated by the arrows; 3

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid system to actuate the lateral stabilizers to stabilize the barge, raftor otherfloating object against lateral movement with respect tothe vessel,

and to actuate the winches for raising or lowering the fenders or gates; Y

7 FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid system for'actuating the slips of the modified from of the lifting device, and a portion ofa barge having a complementary engaging spear portion thereon;

lifting device, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5,6,

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the-line 12-12 of FIG.

II, looking in the direction indicated reduced scale;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 5, of a portion of a barge carrying vessel, a fragmentary portion of abarge carrying vessel, a fragmentary portionof a barge, and a fragmentary portion of a hoisting system, showing the modified form of lifting device associated therewith;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modified form of lifting arrangement; and t FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but taken at a right angle to the modified form,- as shown in FIG. 14.

With more specific reference to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally a vessel of the catamaran-type or of the type shown in Goldman US. Pat. No. 3,273,527, which vessel 1 has transversely spaced apart aft portions, which spaced apart aft portions extend along the. lengthof the vessel a sufficient distance from the rear end to form an area 2, to accommodate, within the length of the vessel, a barge, raft or other floating object 4, to be confined therein, so as tobe protected against the influence of waves, upon lowering a fender or gate 6 within guides 8 and 10 by winch hoist mechanisms-1 2, to form a protected water area. The. hoist mechanisms 12 each has a cable 13 extending therefrom, each' which cable is connected at 14 to the fender or gate'6 near the lower side thereof, soupon the hoisting mechanismslZ being operated, one of which hoisting mechanisms is positioned on each side of the vessel 1 so as to be at each end'of fender or gate 6, and is adapted to raise and lower the rear gate or fender 6 between guides 8 and 10 on the inner facesofthe aft portions 16 of the vessel.

When the fender or gate 6 is in the lowered position, as shown in FIG. 5, an area of water is confined intermediate the two aft portions 16 of the vessel, which area of water is proby the arrows,but on a tected from waves outside the vessel. The water-within this area will rise substantially uniformly as a ship rises and will fall substantially uniformly as a ship lowers. In this manner, the water within this confined area is substantially static with respect to the vessel 1.

' It is preferably to have a second fender or gate 18 which raises and lowers vertically between guides 20 and 22 located on the inner faces of the aft portions 16 of the vessel 1, as will best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. The rear fender or gate 6 is raiseda spaced distance above the surface of the water, as the dicated in dashed outline in FIG. 5,:toi permit a barge; raft or other: floating. objectto be moved therebelowand into theconfinedrwater area 2' and then the gate. 6 islowered to the position showniin full. outline in. FIGS, to confine the. barge, raft or other fioatingzobject-between thev aft portions 16 0f the vesseland betweenthe fendersor gates 6 and I8, which will permitthe water within: the area. 2,. so enclosed, to become relatively quiescent, with the water and the vessel rising and falling with. the waves in the same periodic or harmonic motion, thereby to enable lifting the barge, raft or the like by the spears'or bars28' whichare supported. by the gantry crane hoisting mechanisms, designated generally at 29;each which gantry'crane hoisting mechanism has a hoist line 30 thereon, which passes "around blocks 32 and 34 'of the respective mechanisms and are wound onto the respective winch hoisting. mechanism, which are designated generally by the numerals 36 and 38. I

The present device shows the spears or bars 28' as being engaged by slips, designated generally by the numeral 40, which slips are securely mounted within-each barge, raft or' other floating" object, near-each: comer thereof. The' hoisting mechanisms may comprise pairs of spears or bars,zone pair at each end of the gantry cranegwhich gantry crane is' designated generally by the numeral 42, or by four separate spear'scor bars to enable 'a'separate hoisting mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 29,, to. lift each corner of 'the barge, raft-.or other floating object, after, the water has been stilled by the lowering of fendersor gates 6 andl8. Any suitable connecting means may be used to connectthe hoisting mechanisms to the barge.

Pairs of laterally positioned stabilizing cylinders 44 are provided,'one pair being mounted on each aft portion 16 and each cylinder havi'ngthe plunger thereof above the water line,

each which plunger 46 extends inward through the inner wall of rearwardly extending aft portion 16, so a bumper orv an elastorner head 48 on :each plunger 46may be urged againstopposite sides of a barge, raft or other floating object, simultaneously, so as to stabilize the barge against lateral movement with respect to the vessel 1. After the barge is stabilized the gantry crane 42 may bemoved into position above the barge to enable the hoisting mechanisms, generally designated by the numeral 29, to be connected to the barge 4. ln-the operation of removing'the barge from the water and placing-the barge onto the vessel or into the hold of the vessel, the spears or bars 28 will be in aligned relation with respect to the slips which are designated generally by the nu'meral40; whereupon the'spears or bars 28 are lowered until the spears or bars move downward between the toothed slip elements 41 of the slips' 40, which slipelements are normally urged upwa'rd by a resilient force, such'as by a spring 41A, or by the resilient ac I tion of fluid actuated cylinders'4l B. The fluid actuated cylinders 41Bare pivotally connected to a stabilizing ring 41C, which, in turn, is .pivotally connected'to linkages 410, which linkages arepivotally' connected to sip elements 41.. In this manner the slipelements 41 are normally in the upright position, so upon movement of the spear or bar 28 downwardly into the toothed slip elements 41, the slipswill. move downwardly along the inclined face of the slip bowl 41E until the reversal of the movement of spear or bar 28 is effected, whereupon the teeth will then engage the spear or bar '28 and will hold the bar until the barge is lifted from the water and placed into the hold, as in the case of loading the vessel, or upon unloading the vessel, the barge will be lifted out of the hold and placed in the quiescent water area.

The support frame 40A has a hole 40C formed centrally therethrough, so that the spearor bar, which has a tapered lower end 28A, may readily-pass downward therethrough to enable the correct positioning of the spear or bar 28 with respect to slip elements 41. I

When it is desiredto disengage the toothed slip elements41 from the spears or bars 28, fluid pressure, such as air, is applied simultaneously to the fluid lines 41F by directing air through four-wayvalve 41G; whereupon the plunger of each of the fluid actuated cylinders 418 will move downward to move the slips along the face of .the taper of the bowl 41E; however, to so loosen the spears orbars 28, a downward movement of each spear or bar 28 must be made simultaneously as the air is applied to conduits or fluid lines 41F, whereupon, the slip elements 41 will be retracted. After the slip elements 41 are retracted, the hoisting mechanisms 29 may raise the hoisting spears or bars 28 to enable the spears or bars 28 to engage other slips, either to move the barge, raft or other floating object into the hold of the vessel or to remove the barge, raft or other object from the hold of the vessel to enable the barge, raft or otherobject to be lowered into the protected, quiescent water area, preparatory to launching the barge, raft or other floating object into the sea. I

As mentioned above, either two or four hoisting mechanisms 29 may be used; however, when only two hoisting mechanisms 29 are used, a swing cable 50 is attached to the lower block 34 and to a spreader bar or beam 52 so as to space the bars or spears 28'apartthe distance between the slips 40,

and in so doing the spears or bars may either be lowered directly into the spaced apart slips or they may be manually guided thereinto. The spears 28 are pivotally mounted upon spreader bar 52 to provide limited movement thereof.

The fluid actuated cylinders 44 are preferably four in number, two on each side of each aft portion 16, which cylinders are spaced apart so as to engage a barge, raft or floating object near each corner thereof adjacent the sides of the aft portions 16 of the vessel 1. It is preferable to have these fluid actuated cylinders move inwardly simultaneously and outwardly simultaneously. The fluid to the cylinders 44 is controlled by a four-way valve 54, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9.

The hydraulic system shown, comprises a reservoir 56, a pump 58 having a suction line 60 "and adischarge line 62 to direct fluid through four-way valve 54 and into a hydraulic line 64 which is branched to lead to the plunger end of each of Y the cylinders 44. 'An outlet line 66 leads from each of the cylinders 44 at the end opposite the plunger 46, through which the hydraulic fluid is discharged and through the four-way valve 54, through return line 68 to the reservoir 56. By manipulation of the hydraulic valve 54 in a conventional manner, whether it be the rotary or longitudinally movable spool type valve, fluid can be directed to either end of each hydraulic cylinder, either to move the plungers 46 outward or to retract same, as desired, as is well-known in the art of hydraulics.

The mechanisms for raising the fender or gate 6 are conventional hoisting mechanisms, which mechanisms are preferably hydraulically actuated winch and cable mechanisms operated by a hydraulic system such as indicated'in FIGS. 6 and 9, with the hydraulic line 70 branching off of hydraulic line 62. The

hydraulic line 70 has a four-way valve 72 therein, with hydraulic lines 74 and 75 leading therefrom,'which lines connect in parallel to the respective hydraulic motors 78, which motors, in turn, are connected to the respective drums of the winch hoisting mechanisms 12. A hydraulic discharge line 76 leads from the discharge port of the four-way' valve 72, which discharges hydraulic fluid from the opposite side of the respective hydraulic motors 78 into the other of the hydraulic lines connected thereto. By positioning the hydraulic valve 72 in one position, the hydraulic motors will be rotated in one direction to wind the cable 13 onto the respective drums of the hoisting mechanisms 12 to simultaneously raise each end of the fender or gate 6 from the full outline position, as shown in FIG. 5, to the dashed outline position shown therein.

As the hydraulic fluid is directed from four-way, hydraulic valve' 72 into hydraulic lines '74, which lead to the respective hydraulic motors 78, hydraulic fluid is discharged from the motors 78 into hydraulic lines 75 and through four-way, hydraulic valve 72 into discharge lines 76 which interconnect with discharge line 68 which leads to the reservoir or sump 56. While the hydraulic system has-been described somewhat in detail, other hydraulic systems may be used, such as variable displacement pump systems to vary the speed of the hoist drums or to reverse the drums as desired.

Rollers 82 are mounted on the inside wall of each aft portion 16 of the vessel 1, intermediate the inside wall and the respective hoisting mechanisms 12, so upon the cable 13 being wound onto or unwound off of the drums of the hoisting mechanisms 12, the gate or fender 6 will be raised or lowered, and the rollers 82 will protect the cable 13 from injury.

In raising or lowering the fender or gate 18, the hydraulic system, as shown in FIG. 9., is utilized, wherein the pump 58 withdraws hydraulic fluid from reservoir 56 and directs hydraulic fluid through line 70 into line 86 to four-way valve 88, wherein hydraulic lines 90 lead in parallel to side of each of the hydraulic motors 80, and upon the hydraulic fluid being discharged from the hydraulic motors 80, it will be discharged into hydraulic line 92, thence through four-way, hydraulic control valve 88 into hydraulic line 94 which connects with hydraulic discharge line 68 which leads to the sump or reservoir 56. Hydraulic fluid thus directed through the motors will rotate the drums. of hoisting mechanisms 24 in one direction. Upon movement of the hydraulic control valve 88 to another position, the hydraulic fluid will be directed through parallel lines 92 to the opposite side of the respective hydraulic motors 80, and the fluid being discharged from hydraulic motors will be directed into hydraulic lines 90, and through four-way, hydraulic valve 88 to be discharged into the sump or reservoir 56, in the manner set out above.

A roller 84 is mounted between each inside wall of each aft portion 16 of the vessel 1, at each end of the fender or gate 18 and each drum of the hoisting mechanisms 24, so the respective cables 26 winding onto or off of the drums of the hoisting mechanisms 24 will pass over the respective rollers 84, to prevent injury to the cables.

The slip elements 41 are normally urged upward by resilient means 41A, such as springs, and are moved downward by a combination of forces, by the spears or bars 28 moving downward, and by fluid pressure being exerted on the upper end of each fluid cylinder 41B to move the plungers 41.] thereof. An air supply line 41l directs air through four-way, control valve 416, when in one position, into air lines 41F, which will urge the plungers 41], of the respective cylinders 41B, downward, which will cause the teeth of the slip elements 41 to move away from the spears orbars 28, due to the downward and outward inclination of the taper of the slip bowl 41E. With the slip elements out of engagement with the spears or bars 28, and with fluid pressure on lines 41F, the slip elements are held in retracted position until the spears or bars 28 are removed therefrom.

When it is desired to engage the spears or bars 28, the slip elements 41 may be retracted by directing fluid into the lines 41F, thereby the spears or bars may be freely moved into the slips, then by moving four-way valve 410 to another position, the fluid will be exhausted fromlines 41F through four-way valve 416 to atmosphere, and fluid will be impressed on lines 41K, which will move plungers 41] upward simultaneously, to cause the teeth of the slip elements 41 to engage the spears or bars 28. After once engaged, the fluid pressure may be released, since the weight of the load will hold the slips in place. However, it is desirable to provide springs 41A to hold the slip elements 41 in close relation around the respective spears or bars, in event the tension on the spears or bars should be momentarily slackened. It is preferable to use air as the fluid to actuate the cylinders 41B.

The guides 8, l and 20 are detachably connected to the aft portions 16 of the vessel 1 to enable the removal thereof, and for the removal and repair offenders or gates 6 and 18. The plungers 46 of hydraulic cylinders 44 are retractable so that the bumpers or elastomer heads 48 are normally within the confines of guides 8, 10 and 20, when the barge or raft 42 is being moved into place, either by lowering by the gantry crane 42 and hoisting mechanisms 29, or when the barge 4 is being moved thereinto preparatory to the loading into the hold of the vessel.

The gantry crane 42 is moved along rails or trackway 43 throughout the loading or unloading area of the vessel and has self-contained hoisting mechanisms 29, '36 and 38thereon.

The present gantry crane and design of the vessel are known in the art, and are disclosed in the above mentioned patent to Goldman. The present invention resides in creating an area of quiescent water, within the length of the vessel, moving the barges or the like into the quiescent water area, stabilizing the barge or the like in this quiescent water area, with respect to the vessel, moving the barge or the like, by means ofa gantry crane, into the hold of the vessel-or onto the deck thereof, and for removing barges or the like from the vessel and depositing them in the quiescent water area to be removed therefrom to a place of unloading or for storage.

MODIFIED FORM OF THE INVENTION The modified form of the barge lifting device, one of which is shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, in generally designated by the numeral 101, which barge lifting device is attached to 'a'block 102 by means of a bail'104. The bail 104 pivotally supports a slip bowl 106, which slip bowl mounts a set of tapered,-sliding, toothed slips 108 therein. The set of slips 108 moves downwardly and inwardly at an angle to grip an upstanding projection or bar 110, in a manner as will be more fully brought out hereinafter. The bar 110 is secured to the body of the barge, so upon one set of slips 1'08 engaging each of four such bars 110, the barge 112 may be lifted in a manner more fully brought out hereinafter.

, Each slip bowl 106 is pivotally supported by a bail 104 above the center of gravity, as will best be seen in FIG.- 11, 'so as to maintain each slip bowl in a stable, upright position, when being raised or lowered without'being attached to a bar 110. Each bowl 106 has an upstanding frame 11-4 thereon,

which is secured thereto by cap screws 116, which frame pivotally mounts fluid cylinders 118 thereon to support a plate "120, to which each slip of the set of slips 108 is atta'c'hedby links 122.

A fluid cylinder 118 is provided for each slip of the set of slips, within a slip bowl 106, which cylinders arefluid actuated by a fluid actuating system, such as shown in FIG. 10;'however, in the present instance, no springs surround the plungers 124 of cylinders 118. Fluid supply lines 126 and 128 are provided for each of the cylinders 118, so that the respective plungers 124 thereof may be actuated in either direction by fluid power, which power is preferably air under pressure.

A spring 130 surrounds each upstanding bar 110 and is held against lateral movement by a boss 132. Each spring 130 is of a diameter that will react against the lower end of the slips 108 to maintain the slips a spaced distance above the upper face-of the body of the barge 112. In this manner, the slips may be so positioned as to enable the release thereof by allowing the slip bowl 106 to move downward and moving the slips upward by directing fluid under pressure into conduits 126. After the -slips 108 have been raised, they may be maintained in raised position to enable the removal of the barge lifting device, designated generally by the numeral 101, from the bars 110.

' When it is desired to reengage the slips, the slips 108 maybe lowered into the slip bowl 106 until they move downward ,8 along the inclined face thereof, whereupon, by lowering block 102, the tapered end 134thereof will engage the teeth of the slips tomove the slipsiipward until "retrogression sets in, whereupon, the teeth of thefslips of the set ofslips 108iwill e'ngage the respective bars 110. f v v i.

The blocks 102 are substantially 'ident'ical in construction with blocks 34; however,the presentjbargelifting device may be used either with the form 6 thein'ven'tionf'as slidwn in FIGS. 3 and 4, or with the device whichutilizes r061" Iiftirig blocks, such as shown in FIGS. 14am ijsQ h A FURTHER MODIFIED FORM OF INVENTION p A further modified form of the invention is shown in EIGS. 14 and 15, which form of the invention utilizes four pairs of hoisting winches and an-individual spear or bar for each pair of hoisting winches to enable the barge, raft -or other floating object to be lifted from the quiescentwater area. The numbers of the parts on this form of the invention are the same as in the aforesaid form of the invention, in so far as applicable,'e'xcept an A has been added to the numeral of each winching mechanism to distinguish from theaforernentioned form of in? vention. I t 'f Theform of the invention as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, has four. winching mechanisms,.designated generally at 36A, one

near each cornerof the gantry crane and four winching mechanisms 38A, one near. each corner of the gantry crane:

The winching mechanisms 36A and 38A work complemen,

tally in pairs, and have sensors associated therewith 'to enable one of the winching mechanism of each complementary pair to automaticallytake'up or pay out line or cable rapidly. in ac,-

.cordance with apredetermined tension setting thereof, and

- the other winchingmechanisrn of the complementary pair of winching mechanisms is designed to exert a relatively great lift at a slower speed. These winches act collectively-either to I raise the barge from the 'w ater anclto place it on the vessel or to remove the barge from, the vessel and'lower the barge into the water, in the same manner as the aforementioned form of the invention.

Two complementary winches are associated with each cable on each of the aforementioned forms of the invention and each pair of complementary winches has a stationary block 32 and a traveling block 34 associated therewith. Each of the stationary blocks is suspended from downwardly extending rods 32A, which rods are anchored to'p'late 328, which plate is mounted above the cylinder 32C. The cylinder 32C is mounted on transverse beam 325, and upon downward pull being exerted on the stationary block 32, weight will be transferred to the plate 328 and to the piston 32E, which will cause pressure to be applied to the hydraulic fluid-within cylinder 32C to be directed out and through fluid conduit32F to a tension regulator or sensing unit, designated generally by the numeral 33. This --'unit may be of the character disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,289,967, to Art 1. Robinson, dated Dec. 6, 1966, which tension regulator or sensing unit actuates a control unit 33A to control the flow of air from air supply line 338 to a clutch 33C, which controls slippage of the clutch 33C, within predetermined limits, between the motor and the hoisting mechanisms of the hoists 36A and 38A, which enables the cable to be taken up quickly or payed out quickly on one hoist, and the other hoist, which is geared for heavy lifting,-will exert a lifting pull of the cable within predetermined limits.

extending hull portions of a'widthand length to receive a.

barge or the like therebetween;

a. a movable closure member disposed for vertical movement between the rear of the rearwardly extending'hull portions to form an end closure therebetween, when in one position,

1. said closure'member extends above the water line and below the water line, when in one position;

b. power actuated means on said hull to selectively move said closure member to close the space between said rearwardly extending hull portions, when in one position; and

c. said power actuated means adapted to move said closure member to open said space between said rearwardly extending hull portions, when in another position.

2. A vessel for carrying barges and the like, providing means for quick loading and unloading of the barges as a unit, comprising: g

a. a main hull having cargo hold areas along the longitudinal axis thereof,

l. the stern of said hull having beam width continuations, above and below the water line, from the stern of said main hull, forming an open end downwardly opening transfer well,

2. the cargo hold areas being of a size along the fore and aft axis of the hull, to receive cargo barges, with the fore and aft axes of the barges athwart vessel of the main hull,

b. at least one closure member movable toextend between the inner face of the stern portion of said hull near the rear end thereof,-,and extending into and above the water, when in one position; a I. said closure member being movable to open said barge transfer well, to permit barges to enter said well when said closure member is in another position,

2. power actuated means on said hull to selectively move said closure member to close the open end of said transfer well or to move said closure member to open the end of said transfer well for the movement of barges thereinto or therefrom,

3. one of said barges adapted to be moved from said transfer Well onto the vessel and to be transferred from the vessel into the transfer well, when said closure member extends between said rearwardly extending, beam width continuations from the stern of said hull, and

4. one of said barges adapted to enter said transfer well and to leave said transfer well, when said closure member is not extending between the rearwardly extending, beam width continuations from the stern of said hull.

3. A vessel, for carrying cargo barges or the like, which vessel has a main hullfor a portion of the. length of the vessel and rearwardly extending, spaced apart hull portions to define a well extending completely therethrough in a vertical direction between the rearwardly extending hull portions and of a width and length to receive a barge or the like therein, said well nor- ,mally opening rearwardly in a horizontal direction:

a. upright fender means guided for vertical movement by and between the rearwardly extending hull portions near the rear end thereof; and

b. power actuated means associated with said rearwardly extending hull portions and said upright fender means to selectively move said upright fender means vertically downwardly with respect to said rearwardly extending hull portions to substantially close the rear end of said well at the water line when said upright fender means is in one position and to selectively move said upright fender means vertically upwardly to another position to leave open the rear end of said well.

4. A vessel for carrying cargo-loaded barges or the like, which vessel has a main hull for a portion of the length of the vessel and rearwardly extending, spaced apart hull portions to define a water area between the rearwardly extending hull portions of a width and length to receive a barge or the like therebetween, a gate movably mounted between the rearwardly extending hull portions near the rear ends thereof for movement in an upright plane, hoisting means associated with the rearwardly extending hull portions of the vessel and with said gate for moving said gate to selectively open and close the water area between the rearwarc ll extending hull portions, hoisting means associated with sar vessel to selectively move a barge or the like from the water area onto the vessel or from the vessel into the water area, said vessel having a crane and hoist means associated therewith for movement along the upper face of the vessel, means associated with the barge and with said hoist means to enable the barge to be selectively interengaged with and selectively disengaged from said hoist means, said interengaging means being'toothed slip and bar arrangements, and means remote from said toothed slip and bar arrangements to selectively engage the slips with said bar arrangements and to selectively disengage the slips from said bar arrangements. i

5. A barge carrying vessel as defined in claim 4 wherein:

a. each said toothed slip arrangement is associated with each said hoisting means;

b. said bar arrangements are each associated with each said barge and extend upwardly therefrom;

1.' a spring surrounds said bar,

2. said slips of said slip and bar arrangement adapted to be lowered over said bar to connect therewith and to be moved upward within a slip bowl, and

3. said slips adapted to engage said bar upon upward movement of said slip bowl by said hoist means. 

1. A vessel for carrying cargo loaded barges and the like, which vessel has a main hull for a portion of the length thereof and rearwardly extending, spaced apart hull portions to define a well extending completely therethrough in a vertical direction and providing a water area between said rearwardly extending hull portions of a width and length to receive a barge or the like therebetween; a. a movable closure member disposed for vertical movement between the rear of the rearwardly extending hull portions to form an end closure therebetween, when in one position,
 1. said closure member extends above the water line and below the water line, when in one position; b. power actuated means on said hull to selectively move said closure member to close the space between said rearwardly extending hull portions, when in one position; and c. said power actuated means adapted to move said closure member to open said space between said rearwardly extending hull portions, when in another position.
 2. said slips of said slip and bar arrangement adapted to be lowered over said bar to connect therewith and to be moved upward within a slip bowl, and
 2. power actuated means on said hull to selectively move said closure member to close the open end of said transfer well or to move said closure member to open the end of said transfer well for the movement of barges thereinto or therefrom,
 2. the cargo hold areas being of a size along the fore and aft axis of the hull, to receive cargo barges, with the fore and aft axes of the barges athwart vessel of the main hull, b. at least one closure member movable to extend between the inner face of the stern portion of said hull near the rear end thereof, and extending into and above the water, when in one position; l. said closure member being movable to open said barge transfer well, to permit barges to enter said well when said closure member is in another position,
 2. A vessel for carrying barges and the like, providing means for quick loading and unloading of the barges as a unit, comprising: a. a main hull having cargo hold areas along the longitudinal axis thereof,
 3. A vessel, for carrying cargo barges or the like, which vessel has a main hull for a portion of the length of the vessel and rearwardly extending, spaced apart hull portions to define a well extending completely therethrough in a vertical direction between the rearwardly extending hull portions and of a width and length to receive a barge or the like therein, said well normally opening rearwardly in a horizontal direction: a. upright fender means guided for vertical movement by and between the rearwardly extending hull portions near the rear end thereof; and b. power actuated means associated with said rearwardly extending hull portions and said upright fender means to selectively move said upright fender means vertically downwardly with respect to said rearwardly extending hull portions to substantially close the rear end of said well at the water line when said upright fender means is in one position and to selectively move said upright fender means vertically upwardly to another position to leave open the rear end of said well.
 3. said slips adapted to engage said bar upon upward movement of said slip bowl by said hoist means.
 3. one of said barges adapted to be moved from said transfer well onto the vessel and to be transferred from the vessel into the transfer well, when said closure member extends between said rearwardly extending, beam width continuations from the stern of said hull, and
 4. A vessel for carrying cargo-loaded barges or the like, which vessel has a main hull for a portion of the length of the vessel and rearwardly extending, spaced apart hull portions to define a water area between the rearwardly extending hull portions of a width and length to receive a barge or the like therebetween, a gate movably mounted between the rearwardly extending hull portions near the rear ends thereof for movement in an upright plane, hoisting means associated with the rearwardly extending hull portions of the vessel and with said gate for moving said gate to selectively open and close the water area between the rearwardly extending hull portions, hoisting means associated with said vessel to selectively move a barge or the like from the water area onto the vessel or from the vessel into the water area, said vessel having a crane and hoist means associated therewith for movement along the upper face of the vessel, means associated with the barge and with said hoist means to enable the barge to be selectively interengaged with and selectively disengaged from said hoist means, said interengaging means being toothed slip and bar arrangements, and means remote from said toothed slip and bar arrangements to selectively engage the slips with said bar arrangements and to selectively disengage the slips from said bar arrangements.
 4. one of said barges adapted to enter said transfer well and to leave said transfer well, when said closure member is not extending between the rearwardly extending, beam width continuations from the stern of said hull.
 5. A barge carrying vessel as defined in claim 4 wherein: a. each said toothed slip arrangement is associated with each said hoisting means; b. said bar arrangeMents are each associated with each said barge and extend upwardly therefrom; 